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<p>The Government recognises that widespread free access to cash remains extremely
important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and businesses across the UK.
Government has been engaging and will continue to engage with the regulators and industry,
including LINK (the scheme that runs the UK’s ATM system), to ensure that it is maintained.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government established the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) in 2015 with
a statutory objective to ensure that the UK’s payment systems work in the interests
of their users. As part of this, the PSR is closely monitoring developments within
ATM provision and has committed to using its powers to act should LINK behave in a
way that conflicts with its statutory objectives.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding bank branches,
the decision to close a branch is a commercial issue for the management team of the
bank involved. However, Government believes it is important the impact on communities
must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which commits banks to ensure personal
and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for
them closing. It also helps customers to understand the options they have locally
to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers
who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the
independent Lending Standards Board.</p><p> </p><p>Government also considers it important
that all customers, wherever they live and especially those who are vulnerable, can
still access over the counter services. That is why we support the Post Office’s Banking
Framework Agreement, which enables 99% of banks’ personal and 95% of banks’ small
business customers to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries
at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches.</p>
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